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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 FIAT 500 engine problems
moderate 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 18 engine complaints filed for the 2012 FIAT 500, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If a Mopar oil filter is not available, use a filter that meets or exceeds USCAR36 specification and is compatible with semi and full synthetic oils.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Issue involves overheating, running hot, coolant leaks and related symptoms after a Mopar replacement engine has been installed in the vehicle.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2012 Fiat 500 engine complaints center on two critical failure patterns: oil system breakdown and sudden loss of power.
Low oil pressure and crankshaft wear dominate. Owners report warning lights at idle or during highway driving starting at 14,000 miles and continuing through 65,000 miles. One owner experienced a catastrophic event on the interstate—a pop sound, metal debris beneath the car, and complete oil pressure loss. Another had the warning recur even after the dealership replaced the oil pressure sensor and fresh oil. A third owner at 37,000 miles paid over $1,100 for a rear main seal replacement, which mechanics note is far too early for such a seal to fail. Several owners cite widespread online complaint threads about the same issue affecting other 2012 models.
Unexpected engine stalls also appear across multiple complaints. Vehicles shut down without warning while driving at normal speeds or in traffic, with all warning lights illuminating. The engine restarts immediately but stalls repeatedly. Dealerships have made multiple service attempts without diagnosing the cause.
A third issue is excessive oil consumption: one owner must add one-quarter quart every 1,000 miles, far exceeding normal spec, yet the manufacturer deems this normal and excludes it from warranty. Separately, a burning smell in the cabin persisted through eight dealership service visits without resolution.
Less common but serious: camshaft failure and crankshaft bearing damage at low mileage (2,000 miles in one case). Dealerships and Fiat have consistently refused diagnosis or repair under warranty, citing owner abuse or denying the problems exist despite multiple visits.
Same FIAT 500 engine reports on nearby years: 2013
Failure modes owners describe
Low oil pressure / loss of oil pressure at idle or while driving
Owners report low oil pressure warning lights at idle, intermittent low oil pressure while driving, or complete loss of oil pressure with engine shutdown. Multiple complaints indicate this occurs at relatively low mileage (14K–65K miles). In one case, the engine seized on the highway with metal debris visible beneath the car after a pop noise; another owner experienced recurring warnings after sensor and oil replacement. One owner reports the condition is widespread among 2012 Fiat owners online. Diagnosis points to possible crankshaft/main bearing wear or failure.
When: 14,000–65,000 miles; some at idle, some during highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil pressure warning light illumination; Complete loss of oil pressure with engine stall; Metal shavings in oil or visible metal debris under vehicle; Pop sound followed by dragging noise before pressure loss; Fluid (reddish-tinge oil) leaking and covering underside; Recurring warnings even after sensor replacement and fresh oil
Codes mentioned: P1068 (Cylinder 2 Oil Supply Solenoid Out of Range)
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced oil pressure sensor and performed oil change (symptoms recurred); another faced estimate of $4,016.90 for crankshaft replacement plus bearing repair due to metal shavings stress on oil pump. One owner paid over $1,100 for rear main seal replacement at 37,000 miles. Some repairs declined due to disputed diagnostics.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No TSB or recall specific to oil pressure failure mentioned. Fiat denied warranty claim citing 26 over-rev instances, though owner disputes the validity of the over-rev data.
Rear main seal leak
Multiple owners report oil leaking from the rear main transmission seal at very low mileage (22,400–37,000 miles), an abnormally early failure on vehicles still showing new-car condition. Mechanics describe the leak as life-threatening if left unchecked due to potential oil starvation. The leak affects both transmission and engine function on manual vehicles. Dealers have refused to address the seal during service, and owners note this is a recurring issue across multiple 2012 Fiat 500s online.
When: 22,400–37,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leak from rear main seal area; Burning oil smell in cabin (related complaint #6); Fluid accumulation under vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement cost exceeded $1,100 at one dealership. Dealers refused to perform seal repair even when owner offered to pay for the part during scheduled service.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or TSB; dealers declined to repair under warranty, citing need to wait for bank clearance or warranty expiration.
Unexpected engine stall while driving
Owners report sudden, unexplained engine shutdown while driving at normal speeds or in traffic, with no warning beyond all accessory lights illuminating and the ignition key remaining in the ON position. The vehicle restarts immediately after being turned off and back on, but stalling occurs repeatedly (three times in one case, multiple occasions in another). Dealerships have been unable to diagnose the root cause despite multiple service visits.
When: 950 miles, 5,414 miles, and again near 20,000 miles in one vehicle; another owner at low steady speeds in parking lots over two-month period
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden loss of engine power while driving; No warning lights before shutdown, all warning lights illuminate at stall; Ignition key remains in ON position; Engine restarts immediately with key reset; No unusual noise, odor, or heat before stall; Occurs without driver error or unusual conditions
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership attempted software update on first incident; subsequent service visits found no fault. Vehicle not repaired.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fiat customer service unable to determine cause or provide diagnosis after multiple service attempts; vehicle returned without repair.
Delayed throttle response / deceleration lag
Owner reports the engine does not respond immediately when releasing the accelerator pedal at low speeds (parking lot, 30 mph zones). Deceleration delay lasts one to three seconds, occurring more than ten times over two months. The issue has not been observed at highway speeds.
When: At low steady speeds during city/parking lot driving
Symptoms owners cite: No immediate deceleration when accelerator released; Lag of 1–3 seconds before engine responds to throttle release; Occurs at low speeds (parking lots, 20–30 mph zones); Not reported at highway speeds
Burning smell in cabin (engine-related oil/component issue)
New owner detected a strong burning smell inside the cabin during first highway drive of a certified-used vehicle. The previous owner had reported the same issue before trading in the vehicle. The dealership service department made eight service visits over an extended period but could not resolve the issue. Fiat customer service was contacted and promised engineer intervention, which never materialized.
When: Immediately upon first highway drive after purchase; issue persisted across 8 service visits
Symptoms owners cite: Strong burning smell inside cabin at highway speeds; Issue present from first use of vehicle; Persists after multiple service attempts
Repairs/costs cited: Eight dealership service attempts without resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fiat customer service opened case and promised engineer visit; engineer never showed. Vehicle not repaired; dealership refused to take car back or replace it.
Excessive oil consumption
Owner reports engine light and low oil warnings beginning at 10,000 miles. After dealership oil change, the warning reappeared within three weeks with oil level at one-quarter full. Dealership conducted consumption oil test (COT) every 500 miles for four test cycles. Manufacturer conclusion: owner must add one-quarter quart every 1,000 miles, far exceeding normal specifications. This consumption is not covered under warranty.
When: Starting at 10,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Engine light illumination; Low oil warnings; Oil level drops to 1/4 capacity within 3 weeks of oil change; Excessive consumption rate of 1/4 quart per 1,000 miles
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed oil change; consumption test (COT) ordered and completed per manufacturer protocol
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer response (per owner): excessive consumption is normal and not covered under warranty; owner must monitor oil every 1,000 miles and add as needed.
Main bearing and crankshaft failure
Owner reports knocking noise from engine and check engine light at 2,000 miles. First dealership could not determine cause; second dealership diagnosed main bearing failure and crankshaft failure. Engine was not repaired and manufacturer offered no assistance.
When: 2,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Knocking noise from engine; Check engine indicator illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis confirmed main bearing and crankshaft failure; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified but offered no assistance or warranty coverage
Camshaft failure and valve damage
Owner reported vehicle failed to start. Independent mechanic diagnosed camshaft failure requiring replacement and found that piston number one was not compressing. Upon removal of the valve cover, the relief of the rocker arm (elevate stick) where piston one was located had fractured the exhaust valve.
When: 69,372 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle fails to start; Piston number one loss of compression; Fractured exhaust valve
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired by dealer or manufacturer
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer not notified; no assistance offered
Starter motor mounting bolt grounding issue
Owner experiences intermittent starting issues caused by improperly grounded starter motor mounting bolts. The issue matches the profile of Fiat's Customer Satisfaction Notification N15 (Starter Motor Mounting Bolts, 2012 Fiat 500 with manual transaxle, built March 15–June 30, 2011). However, the owner's vehicle does not fall within the recall window and is not covered. The owner reports other 2012 Fiat owners online have reported the same problem. The defective grounding can allow electrical energy from the starter motor to take an alternate path to ground across engine crankshaft bearings, potentially causing bearing damage.
When: During starting attempts; issue is intermittent
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent starting failure; Possible relation to crankshaft bearing stress (per Fiat's recall documentation)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner paid $280 to dealer to fix corroded bolts; mechanic also cleaned corroded starter bolts and ground connections
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fiat issued Customer Satisfaction Notification N15 for similar vehicles (manual transaxle, built March 15–June 30, 2011), but owner's vehicle excluded from recall despite matching symptoms
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Multiple occasions, probably > 10 times in past two months. At low steady speed, such as driving in a parking lot, when I let up on gas pedal, the car does not slow down immediately. One expects the immediate, slight feeling of deceleration on the body, but it doesn't come right away. Usually it lasts about one second. It has lasted up to three seconds. Recently this happened while driving…
Just like everyone else that owns a 2012 it won't hold oil pressure
I had been smelling burning oil from my car while parked for a period of months after my latest oil change at the dealership. I did not see any dripping on the ground and assumed it was a sloppy oil change with residual oil burning away in the engine bay. During a normal oil change around 37,000 miles the dealer informed me the rear main seal on my Fiat 500 went out and that the repairs would…
Had engine trouble with your 2012 FIAT 500?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2012 FIAT 500?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 16 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 14,693 and 69,372 miles, with the median around 37,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,693; a quarter make it past 69,372. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/FIAT/500.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.